How to Approach a No-Kill Pet Shelter
You will probably find that no-kill shelters are always full. If you absolutely must surrender your pet to a shelter, at least give the shelter a reason to choose your pet over the dozens if not hundreds of others who also need help.
- Realize that you are not "donating" your pet to the shelter. They have to choose between your pet and many other animals who also need help.
- Make sure that your pet is up to date on medical care. This includes spay/neuter and vaccinations. If this isn't done, then you're not only asking them to take your pet, you're also asking them to incur expenses to make your pet adoptable.
- Make sure you have a solid reason for needing to re-home the pet. Things like "Moving", "Pregnant", or "Allergies" are not by themselves convincing reasons for a shelter to take your pet because there are plenty of examples of people who manage to keep their pets in spite of those circumstances. Explain why your situation goes above and beyond the ordinary and what you've already done to try and work around the problem.
- If you know that your circumstances are going to change, then don't wait until the last week to find a no-kill shelter for your pet. Some days or weeks are a lot busier than others. They might be able to take your pet if you can be more accommodating about when you bring them in.
- Offer to volunteer or make a donation. This is not a bribe. These people are working very hard, often without pay, at a job that is sometimes thankless and overwhelming. Your support has to be a genuine offer of help that extends beyond your own needs.
Before you turn your pet over to a shetler, please consider rehoming your pets on your own.
Listing Your Pet on this Site
Be aware that many shelters are NOT no-kill. Verify their policies before you make any drastic decisions.
Find a Rescue Group Through the No-Kill Network